Improvement in melodeons and other wind instruments



@with -tatrs figment qgt'frr.

RILEY W. CARPENTER, F BRATTLEBORO, VERMO N'l. Letters Patent No. 65,171, dated flfay/ 28, 1867; mztedated M213/ 223, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN MELODEONS AND OTHER WIND INSTRUMENTS.

TO LL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, RILEY W. CARPENTER, of Brattleboro, in the county of Windham, and State of -Verment, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Melodeous and other wind instruments of like character, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying lrawing, forming part of this spccication, in which- Figure 1 represents a plan of the interior of a melodeon in part, with my improvement applied thereto.

Figure 2, a vertical transverse section thereof; and

Figure 3, an end view of one of the keys.

Like letters' indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures.

In melodeons, parlor organs, harmoniums, and other wind instruments of like character, it is very desirable to have the tremolo under complete control, not only as regards being under ready command when required to be called into action, but but also as concerns the regulation, in number, of beats or vibrations. The ordinary mode of controlling the tremolo is defective in these respects, and the nature of my invention consists, firstly, in the arrangement of the tremolo-valve in or on the swell; also, in connecting it with any number ofthe keys, independently of each other, in such manner as to bring it under more perfect control of the finger when the playing portion of the key is down, Aand so that on specially rocking or peculiarly operating any one key, the tremor is given through thc scale, resembling somewhat the action of the finger on the string of a violin or violoncello.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, A represents the -case or frame of a melodeon, and a b c cZ e the usual or other suitable interior fittings or framework. B B are the keys, andfg 7L the guidc-fulcrum and pushpins. These keys are rounded on their lower faces where they rest, or, in playing, come down upon the framing so as to admit of them being rocked laterally or transversely when down by the action of the inger, springs serving to return them tothleir horizontal or normal position. C is the swell of the mclodeon, and D the tremolo-valve, which is arranged thereon and s'o made to produce a better effect. Attached to the rear end of the keys are arms E, preferably arranged to run obliquely behind them and across or over the tremolo-valve D, with which they are independently connected by rods j, suitably shaped at their ends, and of such length as, on the front portion of the key or keys (any one of them) being pressed down in playing, the rodj connected with said key will come in contact with the lifting end of the tremclo-valve, but have no tendency to loperate it till the key, by a special action of the inger, is rocked laterally or transversely in a direction to cause its arm E to further lift on the rod j, which action operates thc tremolo that is thus under ready control of tho finger in playing throughout the scale, and is not called into action in the regular motion of the keys, but only as the performer may select by rocking one or more of the keys when down, the keys recoveringtheir normal position immediately on his discontinuing to rock them, and the tremor consequently ceasing.

What I claim herein as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The arrangement of the tremolo-valve in or on the swell, substantially as speciiied.

2. The connection of the tremolo-valve with the key or keys of the instrument in such manner as to bringl it under perfect control of the finger by the independent action of the latter on the key, essentially as herein .set forth. I

R. W. CARPENTER.

Witnesses:

L. P'. Dones, WILLIAM S. NEWTON. 

